Gunman Jailed for Life for Killing Japan’s Ex-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
The Chronify
A Japanese court sentenced Tetsuya Yamagami to life imprisonment for the 2022 assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe. The judge described the daylight shooting as “despicable and extremely malicious.”
A court in Nara on Wednesday sentenced Tetsuya Yamagami, 45, to life in prison after finding him guilty of murdering former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe in a broad-daylight attack more than three years ago.
Delivering the verdict, Judge Shinichi Tanaka said Yamagami was fully “determined” to kill Abe and emphasized that shooting him from behind during a campaign speech made the crime particularly “despicable and extremely malicious.”
The assassination in July 2022 shocked Japan, a country with strict gun laws and little experience of firearm violence. It also triggered national debate over alleged links between conservative politicians and the Unification Church, a controversial religious group.
Yamagami, who used a handmade firearm, showed little emotion during sentencing. He had admitted to the killing at the start of the trial in October and was convicted on charges including murder and violations of firearms control laws.
Prosecutors argued that Yamagami’s motive stemmed from resentment toward the Unification Church, blaming the group for driving his family into financial ruin through his mother’s large donations. The trial revealed that Abe had appeared at events linked to church-affiliated organizations.
Judge Tanaka acknowledged that Yamagami’s upbringing and family circumstances influenced his mindset but stressed that the killing was ultimately his own decision and deserved “strong condemnation.”
Public interest in the case remained intense, with long queues forming outside the courthouse. The defense said it has not yet decided whether to appeal, a decision that must be made within two weeks under Japanese law.
A courtroom attendee, Katsuya Nakatani, said the ruling reinforced his belief that, regardless of motive, opening fire in a crowded public space “can never be forgiven.”
Delivering the verdict, Judge Shinichi Tanaka said Yamagami was fully “determined” to kill Abe and emphasized that shooting him from behind during a campaign speech made the crime particularly “despicable and extremely malicious.”
The assassination in July 2022 shocked Japan, a country with strict gun laws and little experience of firearm violence. It also triggered national debate over alleged links between conservative politicians and the Unification Church, a controversial religious group.
Yamagami, who used a handmade firearm, showed little emotion during sentencing. He had admitted to the killing at the start of the trial in October and was convicted on charges including murder and violations of firearms control laws.
Prosecutors argued that Yamagami’s motive stemmed from resentment toward the Unification Church, blaming the group for driving his family into financial ruin through his mother’s large donations. The trial revealed that Abe had appeared at events linked to church-affiliated organizations.
Judge Tanaka acknowledged that Yamagami’s upbringing and family circumstances influenced his mindset but stressed that the killing was ultimately his own decision and deserved “strong condemnation.”
Public interest in the case remained intense, with long queues forming outside the courthouse. The defense said it has not yet decided whether to appeal, a decision that must be made within two weeks under Japanese law.
A courtroom attendee, Katsuya Nakatani, said the ruling reinforced his belief that, regardless of motive, opening fire in a crowded public space “can never be forgiven.”
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